A CANDIDATE’S DIARY, DAY 9: NBI ASKED TO PROBE MURDER OF 3 MUSLIM YOUTHS

The parents of three Muslim youths who were waylaid by still unidentified men and murdered in Barangay Lika, M’lang on March 8 have asked Justice Secretary Leila de Lima for an independent investigation of the killings by a team of NBI agents.

Totin Talusan, father of victims Ismael and Alamid Talusan, and Baiko Guiambangan, mother of Deodatu Guiambangan, in a letter addressed to Sec. De Lima, asked for help to uncover the truth behind the killing of their children.

Ismael, Alamid and Deodatu, all members of the huge Mantawil clan of Kabacan, were tricycle drivers who drove to M’lang on the night of March 8 to ferry two stranded passengers.

The three, who all operated separate tricycles, all agreed to travel to M’lang in one tricycle out of pity to the stranded passengers who were brought to M’lang safely by the victims.

On their way home, however, they were waylaid by still unidentified men in Barangay Lika, M’lang and then brutally shot with an Armalite M-16 rifle, based on the findings of the police.

Reports said the three were mistaken for carnappers who were stealing motorcycles from M’lang.

“Masyadong masakit sa amin ito. Pinatay na nga ang mga anak namin, tinawag pa nilang carnappers,” said Totin Talusan.

I met with the parents of the victims on Day 9 of the campaign and expressed to them my apologies that the crime happened in my hometown.

I decided to address and handle this problem because the killings could lead to further trouble if left unsolved.

The other day, right after my meeting with the parents of the victims, I sent a text message to Sec. De Lima about their appeal for help.

Immediately, she responded and assured that once her office receives the letter from the parents of the three victims, she will immediately act on it.

I believe that justice must be served here and I could not care less who will be arrested and jailed because of this crime.

I believe that for us to have real peace in North Cotabato, justice must be served fairly.